Means for trimming linoleum



c. H. GLUESING 2,041,24

MEANS FOR TRIMMINGv LINOLEUM Filed Sept. 17, 1954 v 2 Sheets-SheetZ l mmmnm n muungggggllllu Patented May 19, 1936 iTEo STTES PATENT FFHQE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to means for trimming linoleum, and has for its object the provision of easily manipulated implements whereby the linoleum will be iirmly supported at the point where it is to be trimmed. and the cutter will be held to a rectilinear path so that the trimmed edge will be straight. The invention also has for its object the provision of a guide which will be of `a'sectional construction and may be easily eX- tended to any desired length according to the width of the linoleum which is to be trimmed. It is also an object of the invention to provide means whereby the cutter will be enclosed when in use and possible injury by accidental contact with the cutter will b-e avoided. Other' objects of the invention will appear incidentally in the course of the following description and the inven tion resides in certain novel features which will be particularly dened in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of an apparatus embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the guide.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail View of the meeting ends of two sections of the guide.

Figure 4 is an elevation of the cutter.

Figure 5 is a side view of the cutter with the protective sheath applied thereto.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 5 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective View of a portion of the protective sheath.

The track consists of a series of sections, each section consisting of two parallel bars I which may be of any suitable material and will preferably be of wood, the bars having opposed edges planed to provide a smooth straight surface and arranged with said edges close together defining a slot 2 in which the cutter may operate. At each end of each section is secured a transverse block 3, the block at one end being set inwardly somewhat rom the extremity thereof, as shown at 4 in Figure 3, and the block at the other end being located so as to project therefrom a distance equal to the width of the space li. Therefore, the two sections may be brought together with the projecting end of one section overlying and being supported by the projecting portion of the block 3 on the meeting section. The projecting block carries a stirrup or retaining band 5 which has its ends secured to the ends of said block, as clearly shown in Figure 3, and its intermediate portion spaced from the block so as to t around the meeting block, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the

sections being thereby held in alinement and prevented from separating in a horizontal plane. One of the sections of the track is intended for use with all widths of linoleum and is intended to support a side edge portion thereof, for which purpose it is provided with the foot piece or block i corresponding to the blocks 3 previously mentioned but so arranged as to project slightly from the end of the section and constitute a support for a stop member t secured across the end of the section and having an overhanging retainer i secured upon its upper side. As shown in Figure l, the retainer l is formed with an overhanging lip i in vertical spaced relation to the track members so that the edge of the linoleum, indicated at it, may be engaged under said overhanging portion and bear against the retainer so that it may be properly positioned with the slot 2 of the track at a right angie to the abutting edge of the linoleum sheet. Spurs 9 are driven through the track bars i adjacent the retainer 'l to pierce the sheet of linoleum and thereby securely hold it in place while it is being cut.

The cutter consists of a disc I having its edge sharpened and disposed between two hub members or blocks il which serve to rmly support the `disc so that it will not be apt to buckle under the strain imposed thereon. An axle I2 extends centrally through the cutter disc and the reinforcing blocks II and is equipped with washers I3 and nuts I4 against the sides of the reinforcing blocks so that when the nuts are turned home the parts will be firmly clamped together. The ends of the axles are iitted through the extremities of straps I which are secured to the opposite sides of a handle I6 and constitute a fork for supporting the cutter when it is in use. It will now be readily understood that as many sections of the track are fitted together as may be needed to support the edge portion of the linoleum which is to be trimmed and after the linoleum has been placed in proper position on the track and secured thereto, the cutter is placed upon the surface of the linoleum immediately over the slot 2 and suilicient pressure applied to the cutter to cause it to pass through the linoleum. The cutter is then pushed along the track through the entire width of the linoleum and will quickly trim the same, being held to a rectilinear path by the opposed edges of the parallel track bars I, as will be understood upon reference to Figures 1 and 4.

The cutter is necessarily very keen, inasmuch as linoleum is rather tough and considerable strain is imposed upon the cutter when trimming the linoleum. If carelessly thrown aside when not in use, the cutter is very apt to injure workmen or other persons who may accidentally come in contact therewith. To prevent this condition, I provide a sheath or cover for the cutter consisting of a strap I1 of leather or canvas or other exible material provided at its ends with a buckle or similar fastening device, indicated at I8. At intervals in the length of the strap are pairs of lugs I9 which are spaced apart a sucient distance to pass at opposite sides of the edge of. the cutter and having their inner opposed faces beveled, as shown at 20, to conform to the bevel of the cutting edge. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when this sheath is applied to the cutter, the strap will pass entirely around the cutting edge and the lugs I9 will fit against the opposite faces of the cutter so as to prevent the strap slipping edgewise and will also serve to slightly space the strap from the cutting edge, as shown in Figure 5, whereby cutting of the strap will be avoided. Obviously, the edge of the cutter cannot come in contact with a person when the sheath is inplace. The structure of the entire apparatus is simple and inexpensive and the Weight of the several elements is minimized so that they may be easily manipulated without causing fatigue to the user. The reinforcing blocks Il are circular and disposed concentric with the cutter so that they will roll upon the surface of the linoleum at the opposite sides of theslot 2 and will, therefore, resist any tendency of. the linoleum to buckle at its point of contact with the cutter so that the trimmed edge of the linoleum will be straight and free of any ragged or uneven portions.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Means for trimming linoleum comprising a track formed in sections each section having a longitudinal slot, supporting blocks upon the under sides of the sections at the ends thereof, the

supporting block ori one section being arranged to extend under the meeting end of an adjacent section to support the same, and a retaining band secured to said projecting block and engaging around the adjacent supporting block whereby to 5 hold the sections in alinement.

2. Means for trimming linoleum comprising a track having a longitudinal slot therein, an overhanging retainer at one end of the track adapted to engage over the edge of a linoleum sheet placed l0 over the track, and spurs on the track adjacent said retainer to engage and hold the linoleum sheet.

3. Means for supporting sheet material in position to be cut comprising a track formed of sec- 15 tions disposed in end to end relation to each other and having alined longitudinally extending slots, supporting blocks extending transversely of said sections under meeting ends thereof, the block of one section being spaced inwardly from the said end thereof and the block of the other section having a portion projecting therefrom for engaging under the adjoining end of the rst section and abutting the block of the rst section, and a yoke carried by one block for engaging about the other block and holding the sections against movement longitudinally and transversely of each other.

4. Means for supporting sheet material in p0- sition to be cut comprising a track formed of sections disposed in end to endv relation to each other and having alined longitudinally extending slots, supporting blocks extending transversely of said sections under meeting ends thereof, and means carried by one block for engaging about the other block and detachably holding the sections in end to end engagement with each other and preventing shifting of the sections transversely of. each other.

CLAUS H. GLUESING. 

